2.04.2008

Don't-Be-Ridiculous Tuesday

When historians look back on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, they will remember it as a monumental occasion for celebration.

Will they do so because it was the day the improbable Super Bowl Champion New York Giants were feted on the Canyon of Heroes?

Nope.

Will they recall it as the day the future President of the United States won a decisive victory in his or her party's primary?

Nonsense.

Will they remember the Dances of Joy that enveloped the nation when the first two seasons of "Perfect Strangers" were finaly released to a hungry public?

Of course they will. Don't be ridiculous.

Yes, dear friends, before I could wrap up the "I Want My DVD: Perfect Strangers Edition" blog entry, the powers that be at Warner Brothers have decided to release a two-disc set of the first two seasons of the adventures of Balki and Cousin Larry. The rain and thunder. The wind and haze. I'm bound for better days.

There was a time in young Tinsel and Rot's life where there was no cooler show than "Perfect Strangers" and no cooler peron than Bronson "Balki Bartokomous" Pinchot. I'm pretty sure that time has now passed, but it was quite a ride. I'm extremely hesitant to watch the DVDs, because I'm certain the show will not be as good as it was when I was 12 (most things, in fact, aren't). But I will watch anyway, and likely sing along to a theme song that still holds strong in the Top 10 TV Themes of All-Time.

It is a bit frustrating, though, that it's only the first two seasons. As we all know, the show didn't hit its stride until season 3, when Larry and Balki ditch Twinkacetti and get jobs at the Chicago Chronicle. There's the Carl Lewis guest spot. And the episode with the plumbing misadventures. And, of course, the bibbi-babka episode, an all-time classic. Warner Brothers better get to work on the season three disc. If the entire run of "Full House" can be out there, there's no excuse for "Perfect Strangers" episodes to be held back. For crying out loud, "Perfect Strangers" was the original TGIF anchor (original lineup: "Perfect Strangers," "Full House," "Mr. Belvedere," and "Just the Ten of Us"--no weak links, at least in my 12-year-old mind), and, lest we forget, indirectly begat Urkel ("Family Matters" spun off from "Perfect Strangers"). Respect must be paid to Balki and Cousin Larry.

OK, need to calm down, be glad the first two seasons are out there, then do Dance of Joy.